Insert for a bag

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an insert for a carrier such as a bag or a box, and more particularly to an insert for a bag for carrying bottles, cups and the like. The insert is particularly, but not exclusively, for bags made of paper or the like that fold flat for storage and transportation and open out for use. The present invention aims to provide an insert for a bag that allows the user to maximise use of the whole bag, while still allowing for bottles, cups and the like to be supported.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an insert for a carrier such as a bagor a box, and more particularly to an insert for a bag for carryingbottles, cups and the like. The insert is particularly, but notexclusively, for bags made of paper or the like that fold flat forstorage and transportation and open out for use.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/042,819 relates to a bag forcarrying bottles, cups and other liquid containers. There is shown afoldable insert that has at least one container-receiving aperture inthe form of a circular cut-out region, into which bottles, cups or othersuch containers can be fitted, in use. However, the bag, as disclosed inU.S. Ser. No. 12/042,819, does not allow easily for further items thatthe user may wish to put in the bag. A portion of the bag is notavailable for use when the aperture is folded to a position that allowsthe bottles to be stored.

The present invention aims to provide an insert for a bag that allowsthe user to maximise use of the whole bag, while still allowing forbottles, cups and the like to be supported.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the invention, the present invention provides aninsert for a bag, wherein the insert is of a foldable construction,comprising a first panel having a first section and a second section,wherein, in a first position, the insert is generally flat and whereinthe second section is arranged to be folded relative to the firstsection, from a first position to a second position, such that the firstand second sections define a receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects of the present invention will now bedescribed in further detail, by way of example only, with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of an insert inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A in which theinsert is folded out.

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of FIG. 1A inwhich the insert is inside a bag.

FIG. 2A is a face on view of a panel, in which the panel comprises threesections, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an embodiment of FIG. 2A in which theinsert is folded in various ways to form a receptacle.

Fig. 2C is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of FIG. 2B inwhich the insert is inside a bag.

FIG. 2D is a top view of an embodiment of FIG. 2B in which the insert isinside a bag.

FIG. 3A is an example of an insert where a panel has two sections.

FIG. 3B is an top view of an example of FIG. 3A in which the insert isinside a bag.

FIG. 4A is another example of an insert in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 4B is a top view of an example of FIG. 4A in which the insert isinside the bag.

FIG. 5A is another example of an insert in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 5B is a top view of an example of FIG. 5A in which the insert isinside a bag.

FIG. 6A is a face on view of a panel, in which the panel comprises threesections, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a top view of an example of FIG. 6A in which the insert isinside a bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an insert fora bag for carrying bottles, cups etc. The insert is configured to havean essentially flat, first configuration for storage, transportationetc. and a second, open configuration defining a receptacle for theitem(s) to be carried. Thus, the insert can be provided in a flat formseparate from, or inside, a bag (which may also be folded flat). In use,the bag is opened out and the insert is also opened out, inside the bag,to form the receptacle in the bag.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an insert fora bag. Alternatively, the insert may be placed in a box, and the box maybe made from cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic, paperboard etc.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the insert may be a piece of cardboard that isfolded to form two panels 1 and 2 that, in a closed position, may befolded together. In a preferred embodiment, the cardboard is corrugatedcardboard, as this reinforces the bag on the side and the base of thebag. Alternatively, the insert may be made from paper, bendable plastic,paperboard or card. In a preferred embodiment, the insert is folded toform two panels. Alternatively, the insert may have only one panel ormore than two panels, and the insert may be a piece of folded cardboardetc. or may be two or more pieces of cardboard etc. attached to eachother so as to be moveable relative to each other.

In use, the insert may be free-standing inside the bag. In a preferredembodiment, however, panel 1 may be attached to the inside of a bag. Ina preferred embodiment, the panel is attached by adhesive means such asglue or paste. Alternatively, the adhesive means may be double sidedtape, or the insert may be attached by fixing means e.g. staples etc. Inan open position, panel 2 may be moved to an opened out position,preferably substantially perpendicular to panel 1 (as shown in FIGS. 1Band 1C), so as to rest on or adjacent a lower surface of the bag (asshown in FIG. 1C). Such an insert forms a receptacle within the bag.

As can be seen in FIG. 2A, in a more preferred embodiment, panel 1 mayhave three sections, a middle section 1A and two end sections 1B and 1C.Whilst in a preferred embodiment the panel 1 has three sections, thepanel may, alternatively, have more, or less, than three sections.

As seen in FIG. 2B, the lower edges of sections 1B and 1C may bedetached from panel 2. This allows them to be folded relative to themiddle section and to the second panel when the insert is in an openposition and allows the insert to have a substantially flat appearancewhen the insert is in a closed position. Sections 1B and 1C may befolded towards the middle section 1A and over panel 2, so as to providereceptacles for bottles and cups. In a preferred embodiment sections 1Band 1C are detached from panel 2. Alternatively, either one of sections1A, 1B or 1C may be detached from panel 2. In FIGS. 2C and 2D, onlysection 1A is attached to the bag by adhesive means or the like. It isto be understood that any of the sections 1A, 1B, or 1C may be attachedto the bag.

Whilst panel 2 provides support at the bottom of the bag, the insertmight just comprise panel 1 having two or more sections foldablerelative to each other.

FIG. 3A shows an alternative panel 1, in which panel 1 comprises twosections 10A and 10B. As can be seen in FIG. 3B, section 10A is attachedto a bag and section 10B may be folded relative to section 10A and tothe second panel when the insert is in an open position. Alternatively,section 10B may be attached to the bag and section 10A may be foldedrelative to section 10B and to the second panel when the insert is in anopen position.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show an alternative way of forming a receptacle usingthe panel shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 4B shows that section 1B is attached tothe bag and sections 1A and 1C may be moved relative to section 1B andto the second panel when the insert is in an open position.Alternatively, section 1C maybe attached to the bag and sections 1A and1B may be moved relative to section 1C and to the second panel when theinsert is in an open position.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show an alternative way of forming a receptacle usingthe panel shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 5B shows that section 1B is attached tothe bag and sections 1A and 1C may be moved relative to section 1B andto the second panel when the insert is in an open position.Alternatively, section 1C maybe attached to the bag and sections 1A and1B may be moved relative to section 1C and to the second panel when theinsert is in an open position.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show an alternative panel 100, in which panel 100comprises three sections 100A, 100B and 100C. As can be seen in FIGS. 6Aand 6B, section 100B can be moved relative to section 100A and a side ofthe bag when the insert is in an open position. Also, section 100C canbe moved relative to section 100A and another side of the bag when theinsert is in an open position.

The present invention, in various positions, allows the user to utilisethe whole of the bag for carrying groceries and, in addition, to allowfor the carrying of bottles and cups. The invention may providereceptacles where bottles can be kept separate from other groceries orbottles, in use. This is particularly advantageous should any liquidleak from bottles and cups, and the receptacles prevent the bottles fromknocking against each other and, therefore, reduces the risk of thebottles smashing while being transported. Another advantage of thepresent invention, in preferred embodiments, is that the panels canreinforce the sides and bottom of the bag and, therefore, the bag maytake a defined structure and may be more resilient when carrying heavyitems and bottles.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a receptacleto carry bottles or cups. Alternatively, the receptacles may be adaptedto carry flasks, cans, tins, delicate objects, glass bottles, plasticbottles, cosmetics, bottles containing hazardous material, bottlescontaining medicines, paper cups, plastic cups, wine bottles, bottlecontaining alcoholic spirits, aluminium bottles, jars etc.

1. An insert for a bag, wherein the insert is of a foldableconstruction, comprising a first panel having a first section and asecond section, wherein, in a first position, the insert is generallyflat and wherein the second section is arranged to be folded relative tothe first section, from a first position to a second position, such thatthe first and second sections define a receptacle.
 2. The insert asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the first section of the insert is affixableto a bag, in which the insert, in use, is provided.
 3. The insert asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the insert further comprises a second panelattached to a lower edge of the first section of the first panel.
 4. Theinsert as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second panel, in a firstposition is substantially adjacent the first panel when the insert isnot in use.
 5. The insert as claimed in claim 3, wherein the secondpanel may be moved from a first position adjacent the first panel to asecond position that is substantially perpendicular the first panel. 6.The insert as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first panel furthercomprises a third section.
 7. The insert as claimed in claim 6, whereinthe third section may be folded relative to the first and/or secondsection from a first position to a second position to form a receptacle8. The insert as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second panel of theinsert is restable, in use, against a base of the bag.
 9. The insert asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the insert is made from corrugated board.10. A bag manufactured of recyclable material, comprising an insert asclaimed in claim
 1. 11. A bag as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bag isa paper bag or a bag manufactured from lightweight card.
 12. A bag asclaimed in claim 10, wherein the bag and insert are collapsible forstorage and transportation.
 13. A bag as claimed in claim 10, whereinthe bag is sized to carry containers.
 14. A bag as claimed in claim 11,wherein the bag and insert are collapsible for storage andtransportation.
 15. A bag as claimed in claim 11, wherein the bag issized to carry containers.